Water softener apparatus



March 10, 1936. G. MOORE 2,033,533

WATER SOFTENER APPARATUS Filed Sept. 1, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 v March10, 1936. MQQRE 2,033,533

WATER SOFTENER APPARATUS Filed Sept. 1, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I m l lml1 I I y gwuantom Gearye More March 10, 1936. G. MOORE 2,033,533

WATER SOFTENER APPARATUS Filed Sept. l, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 PatentedMar. 10, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in devices for the treatment ofliquid, such as water, by percolation through a granular mass, such as abed of known base exchange substances, zeolites for instance, andrelates more particularly to portable or hand-operated apparatus of thetype indicated.

The essential object in view is the production of a water softeningdevice characterized by its inexpensiveness of construction and itssimplicity and eihciency of operation.

A further object is to provide means for supporting the device inelevated position.

" With these and other objects in view as will in part hereinafterbecome apparent and in part be stated, the invention comprises areceptacle having preferably an open top, a body of zeolites or likegranular bed within and occupying an intermediate area of thereceptacle, a perforate support for the granular bed spaced above thebottom of the receptacle, and a foraminous plate covering and spacedabove the upper surface of the granular bed.

My invention further comprises a softener of the class mentionedequipped with a self-com tained support adapted to be extended, whendesired, to form a stand for the device and to be retracted ortelescoped within the same when not in use.

The invention also comprises certain other novel constructions,combinations, and-arrangements of parts as subsequently specified andclaimed.

In the accompanying drawings,-

Figure 1 is an elevation of a water softener embodying my invention, thesupporting device 'being shown partly extended.

Figure 2 is a vertical, central section of the device upon an enlargedscale, the supporting device being shown in retracted position.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary, sectional elevation of the handle of thedevice and adjacent parts J showing the manner of detachably securingthe same in position.

Figure 6 is a detailed elevation of the supporting device, partly insection, with the receptacle shown in position thereon.

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the base of the support.

Figure 8 is a similar view of a modified form of base.

Figure 9 is a detailed section on line 99 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is an elevation of a supporting hook for the softener.

Figure 12 is a detailed section on the line l2-l2 of Figure 6, upon anenlarged scale, and

Figure 13 is a similar view of a modified form. 5

Referring now to the drawings, l indicates a container or receptacle,preferably cylindrical, but obviously adapted to have any desiredcontour. The bottom 2 of the receptacle I is imperforate' except for theopenf 1g 3 to the discharge ccnduit hereinafter described, and ispreferably arranged in a plane above the lower edge of the device,leaving an open space 4 at the bottom. The lower edge of the side wallsof the receptacle is turned inwardly and upwardly, as at 5, and theupper edge of the inturned portion forms a support for the bottom 2.Spaced above the bottom 2 is a. perforate support 6 for the zeolitebed 1. The support 6 may be a screen or other plate or sheet appropriatefor and capable of sustaining the bed I. Support 6 is sufiicientlyspaced above the bottom 2 to permit the water which passes through thesupport b to flow freely to the discharge opening 3. To this end, bottom2 is formed with beads 8 of sufficient height to maintain the support-inspaced relation to the bottom. These beads may be of any desired form,but are preferably concentric, arcuate ridges, as shown in Figure 4,with interrupted portions 9 providing pasageways for the freecirculation of the water.

The container l is provided with a discharge conduit l0 leadingdownwardly from the discharge opening 3, into the space 4, and thenradially to a laterally extending nipple II to which is attached aflexible tube l2. The tube l2, as seen in Figure 1, is of sufficientlength to be turned to an upright position, and thereupon to extendabove the upper end of the receptacle I, and the outer or free end ofthe tube i2 is preferably provided with a hook M adapted to hook overthe upper edge of the receptacle to retain the tube I2 out of positionfor discharging treated water when it is desired to avoid suchdischarge. The hook 14 may be secured in any appropriate manner, but ispreferably formed on a sleeve 15 secured in the end of the tube l2, saidsleeve terminating in an outwardly extending flange l6 which covers theend of the hose fabric, and upon which the hook I4 is formed.

To add to the life of the hose I 2, the same is preferably covered witha helical wire casing l3. This prevents the hose or tube l2 from beingcrushed or too sharply bent, and also adds materially to the appearanceof the device.

Spaced above the upper surface of the bed 1, and leaving an open area II, is a foraminous plate I8 preferably constructed in the form of thebottom of a comparatively shallow receptacle I9 having a marginal roll20 adapted to fit over and receive the upper edge of the receptacle I,so that the receptacle I9 can be readily nested in receptacle I and thuslocate the foraminous plate I8 in proper position. Other means oflocating and anchoring the plate I3 will be obvious.

An operating or carrying handle 2I is preferably provided to enable theoperator to manually transport the receptacle I and its connected parts,and the handle 2i is preferably in the form of a tube of a length tosnugly fit diametrically across the walls of the receptacle I3. The tubeis preferably secured in position by spring-pressed pins 22 arranged inthe ends of the handle 2I and projected by a spring 23. These pinsextend through registering apertures 24 and 25 of the receptacles I9 andI respectively, and thus detachably secure the former in the upperportion of the latter.

The plate I 8 serves to break the impact of a stream of water introducedinto receptacle I and to cause the water to enter the area I1 and dropupon the upper surface of bed I in miniature streams or drops withoutappreciable force, so that, though the operator may turn on a housefaucet or other water supply having a substantial hydraulic head, theupper surface of the bed 1 will not be materially varied and no pit willbe dug therein as would occur if an ordinary screen were employed inlieu of the plate I3. To supply the water to the device, a flexible hose26 is provided having a spring hook 21 at one end to engage the handle2| of the device, and a nipple 28 at the other end for attaching thehose to a faucet 23, or other source of supply. The screen or support 6may be soldered or otherwise appropriately anchored to the inner surfaceof the receptacle I, or it may be provided with a circumferential frame30 adapted to rest upon the bottom 2.

In operation, the operator, when transporting the present improved watersoftening apparatus, usually grasps the handle 2I and carries theapparatus to the place desired. Usually, the tube or hose I2 is placedin its raised position with the hook I4 engaging the upper margin of theapparatus during such transportation. This location of the tube insuresagainst dripping from drainings from the bed I after the main supply ofsoftened water has been exhausted.

When it is desired to soften water, a supply of water is poured onto theplate I3 from any appropriate source, such as through the tube 26, anddrips through the apertures of plate I3 onto the bed I through which itpercolates until it finds its way into the space between the support 6and bottom 2 from which it escapes through the tube I2. Tube I2, ofcourse, will be located appropriately to cause the discharging softenedwater to be delivered at the required point or into the requiredreceptacle. During the course of such action of water softening, a filmof slime will collect, usually slowly, on the upper surface and in theupper portions of the bed I, and will slow down the penetration of thebed by the water. When this occurs, the tube I2 is placed in its raisedposition and asupply of water is delivered to receptacle I sufficient tocause the water to stand at about the level of the upper surface of thebed I, or perhaps slightly above such surface, and the receptacle isthen shaken manually, preferably in an up and down or longitudinaldirection, to dislodge the slimes, and then the receptacle is invertedor partly inverted to discharge the slimes-bearing water from thereceptacle. The apertures in plate I8 are sufficiently small to preventthe ready escape of the zeolite particles, but the slime will break upand escape through the openings in said plate. Of course, the length oftime taken to collect a film of slimes to an objectionable degree willvary according to a number of factors, including the character of thewater used and the extent of continuation of use. When the slimes havethus been eliminated, the receptacle I is restored to its uprightposition and jarred or shaken sufficiently to cause the bed I to assumeits normal position with its upper surface substantially level.

It is understood, of course, that with base exchange substances arevival is required at intervals, and where the bed I is of zeolites itis only necessary to supply salt to accomplish this revival. The saltmay be andpreferably is supplied in the form of rock salt which isallowed to stand on the perforated plate I8 and covered with water. Thesalt dissolves slowly and percolates through the zeolites for a briefperiod sufficient to effect the restoration, and then may be drawn offthrough the tube I2 and followed by wash water, leaving the bed 'I inrestored condition ready for continuation of its original function.

When it is desired to remove the upper receptacle I3, an instrument,such as a knife blade or screw-driver, may be inserted under the rollededge 20 to engage the pins 22 and force the same backwardly against thetension of the spring 23,

the handle 2| in the meantime being grasped by the hand, and the saidreceptacle I9 may be readily lifted and removed by said handle. In usingthe device, the receptacle I may be rested upon any suitable support,such as a table or shelf, but I prefer to equip the device withself-contained means for supporting the same, and to so construct andarrange this supporting means that the receptacle may be held atdifferent heights. To this end, I provide a standard formed of a seriesof telescopic sections, one section being fixed axially within thereceptacle, and the last section of the series being equipped with abase. Referring particularly to Figure 6, 3| indicates the upper memberof the telescopic support, which is arranged axially within thereceptacle I and secured in any suitable manner to the bottom 2.Telescopically arranged within the section 3I are an intermediatesection 32 and a lower section 33. These sections are maintained inextended position by spring latches 34 of a well known type which engagein apertures 34'. To the lower end of the last-mentioned section isfixed a base which may be of any suitable form. Registering,longitudinal grooves 32' are preferably formed in the sections 3I, 32,33 to prevent relative rotation of the sections to insure engagement ofthe latches 34 with their cooperating apertures 34'. If preferred, thetubular members may be made polygonal in cross section as indicated at32a and 33a in Figure 13, which will prevent relative rotation. InFigures 1, 2, 6, and

7 is illustrated the preferred form, wherein the base comprises a.circular disc 35, to the lower face of which are pivotally secured aplurality of arms 36. These arms are so constructed that they may beextended as illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 7, to extend the basearea, and are arranged to fold under the disc 35 when not needed toextend the base area, and are each re- 7 cessed, as at 81, to receivethe free end of the adjacent arm in order when so folded.

In Figure 8 is illustrated a modified form of the base which comprises acruciform member 38,,each leg 39 of which is formed with a dovetailed,longitudinally-disposed slot 40 in which is arranged a sliding bar 4!which may be extended to increase the length of the arms.

When the standard is not in use, it may be telescoped within thereceptacle, the base being accommodated within the space 4 in the lowerend of the receptacle.

Where it is not convenient to use the telescopic support, means may beprovided for suspending the device from a hook, nail, or other similarsupport. To this end, I provide a supporting device comprising asubstantially horizontal bar portion 42 having at its ends dependingarms 43 terminating in hooks for engage ment with the handle 2|. Thecenter of the bar 42 is provided with an eye 45 for engagement over thehook or nail. This device is prelerably formed by stamping the same fromsheet metal.

What is claimed is: 1

1. A water softener apparatus comprising a receptacle having a supporttherein iorwater,

softening material and a discharge below the support, a foraminous,detachable cover pendent within the upper end portion of the receptacleand having a flange overhanging the, receptacle at the upper endthereof, and means within the cover adapted to serve as a handle andextending through a portion of the cover and through the wall 01' thereceptacle to contact with said overhanging flange. f

2. A water softener apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the handlemeans has a resiliently stressed portion extending through the wall orthe receptacle to'contact with the overhanging flange.

3. A water softener apparatus comprising a receptacle consisting of sidewalls and a bottom, the lower end portion of said side wallsbeing bentinwardly and upwardly and forming a support for said bottom, and thethus retum-folded portion being of substantial length relative to thelength of the receptacle so as to provide a space at the lower portionof the receptacle, 9. toraminous plate in the upper portion of saidreceptacle, a zeolite bed intermediate said bottom and said foraminousplate, a discharge tube within the space provided by said return-foldedportion and extending from said bottom through the side walls of saidreceptacle below said bottom, and a hose communicating with thedischarge and of said tube, substantially as described.

4. In water softening apparatus, a receptacle including side walls and abottom, said bottom being arranged above the lower edge of said sidewalls, water softening means arranged above said bottom, means forwithdrawing water from beneath said softening means, and. a support forsaid device comprising a tubular member arranged axially within saidreceptacle and fixed to said bottom, and a member telescopicallyarranged within said tubular\ member and having a base at its lower end,sai base being adapted to be positioned in the lower portion of thereceptacle below the bottom when retracted.

5. A device as set forth in claim 4 in combination with means secured tosaid base and adapted to be extended beyond the edge of the same toincrease the area oi. the base, substantially as described.-

6. A portable water softener apparatus comprising a receptacle having abottom, a zeolite bed in the receptacle, and a support forthe receptaclecomprising a rod telescopically engaging the receptacle and movablethrough the bottom into and out or area surrounded by the zeolite bed. 7

GEORGE MOORE.

